http://allafrica.com/stories/201201300197.html


Zambia: Govt Wants Safari Hunting Cartels to End
28 January 2012

THE Government has called for an end to the formation of cartels by some safari hunting businesses which has restricted the entry of new safari hunting enterprises.

Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said some companies had been bidding for hunting concessions under different names resulting in the same investors holding on to hunting concessions for a long period of time.

Mr Malupenga, who was speaking when he officiated at a consultative meeting of the Zambia Wild Life Authority (ZAWA) with local communities on the expiry and allocation of hunting blocs, said such unethical business practices coupled with the failure to utilise the allocated quotas, had been detrimental to the viability of the hunting business as it reduced revenue that would have accrued to the local communities and the nation.

"I challenge this meeting to deliberate and find workable solutions to these and other hurdles facing the safari hunting industry," Mr Malupenga said.

He told the meeting that was attended by 31 traditional leaders from 21 hunting blocs that the Government wanted to consult on the allocation of hunting blocs as the 10 year period for most hunting concessions would soon expire adding that lessons had been learnt over the 10 years.

And in an interview, Chief Chipepo of the Tonga people of Chirundu District called for the inclusion of the local communities in the selection of safari companies as they were the ones that lived with the operators and observed their performance.

Chief Chipepo said it had been observed that some operators were criminals who used the safari business to launder their money before moving to their next venture.

Chief Chipepo, however, implored the Government to ensure that the operators' existence in the hunting blocs benefited the local communities who were the custodians of the wildlife.

He said unless the community benefited from the wildlife, poaching would continue to be a problem in the game management areas.

No such thing as Safari Hunting Cartels in Zambia, nor the guys who run em!

Just another example of the REAL PROBLEM! These African wildlife departments are so clueless as to what is going on right under their very noses, its mind-boggling. Perhaps if they didn't contribute to and participate in the unscrupulous/corrupt acts of others, they might have some beneficial input!

Hi Aaron,
There will always be more succesfull operators that book many clients. That, by simple economics, deserve to bid for additional concession space. This is 100%.
What I have a problem with, is top concessions being awarded to people that are well connected with the gov, that have no hunting interest. They buy the concession rights for say $20,000 and sublease it to bonified operates for say $60,000.
If these are the cartels they want to break, then im all for it. These middle men that have no interest in hunting or wildlife for that matter, are costing the client ekstra dollars.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
[


Zambia: Govt Wants more graft, corruption, handouts from the Safari Hunting Cartels
28 January 2012

THE Government has called for an end to the formation of cartels by some safari hunting businesses which has restricted the entry of new safari hunting enterprises.


.... as it reduced revenue that would have accrued to the local communities and the nation.

Fixed it.

quote:

Originally posted by charlieT:
Hi Aaron,
There will always be more succesfull operators that book many clients. That, by simple economics, deserve to bid for additional concession space. This is 100%.
What I have a problem with, is top concessions being awarded to people that are well connected with the gov, that have no hunting interest. They buy the concession rights for say $20,000 and sublease it to bonified operates for say $60,000.
If these are the cartels they want to break, then im all for it. These middle men that have no interest in hunting or wildlife for that matter, are costing the client ekstra dollars.

Looks like you have it 'back to front' - When the best concessions are taken from already well established, reputable outfitters and awarded to nonentities who then sublease - these are the cartels!

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

Originally posted by charlieT:
Hi Aaron,
There will always be more succesfull operators that book many clients. That, by simple economics, deserve to bid for additional concession space. This is 100%.
What I have a problem with, is top concessions being awarded to people that are well connected with the gov, that have no hunting interest. They buy the concession rights for say $20,000 and sublease it to bonified operates for say $60,000.
If these are the cartels they want to break, then im all for it. These middle men that have no interest in hunting or wildlife for that matter, are costing the client ekstra dollars.

Looks like you have it 'back to front' - When the best concessions are taken from already well established, reputable outfitters and awarded to nonentities who then sublease - these are the cartels!

Charlie & Fujo - No doubt, that's a problem in both Zambia/Tanzania, and I'm sure we could all name a few right off the bat!

Problem is, the very people railing against that sort of issue in the article - are the same ones who are allowing/contributing, and benefiting from the problem in the first place.

quote:

Originally posted by charlieT:
Hi Aaron,
There will always be more succesfull operators that book many clients. That, by simple economics, deserve to bid for additional concession space. This is 100%.
What I have a problem with, is top concessions being awarded to people that are well connected with the gov, that have no hunting interest. They buy the concession rights for say $20,000 and sublease it to bonified operates for say $60,000.
If these are the cartels they want to break, then im all for it. These middle men that have no interest in hunting or wildlife for that matter, are costing the client ekstra dollars.

You mean like Rasheed Randera of Nyampala Safaris or Baobab Safaris or one of several other shell safari outfits that operate in the Luangwa River area? A guy that cannot travel to the US to attend hunt shows because he is a crook and on the no fly list? You mean like Rasheed the Weasel who is lying only when his lips are moving? Or do mean like Rasheed the Snake who has his hand on the minister who makes the final call on the bids for the prime areas?

I agree, let the free market dictate who gets which areas. Let the process be transparent. If an outfit gets shut out and has to live off sublet areas or quota - say so. Be transparent so the customer gets no surprise.

I know that is asking a lot but it is possible and would be good the country and the wildlife.

Interesting. The new Government is proactive and positive, and becoming increasing aware of the economic role of natural resources.

All government concessions will be tendered this year (for next) and the results will speak volumes.

It has been advertised that Sichofulo, once famous, is to be handed back to the community. Quite right as the mismanagement and fly by nights have in the last 15 years decimated these historic hunting grounds and if wildlife cannot pay for itself ...

quote:

Originally posted by We Are Sparta!:

quote:

Originally posted by charlieT:
Hi Aaron,
There will always be more succesfull operators that book many clients. That, by simple economics, deserve to bid for additional concession space. This is 100%.
What I have a problem with, is top concessions being awarded to people that are well connected with the gov, that have no hunting interest. They buy the concession rights for say $20,000 and sublease it to bonified operates for say $60,000.
If these are the cartels they want to break, then im all for it. These middle men that have no interest in hunting or wildlife for that matter, are costing the client ekstra dollars.

You mean like Rasheed Randera of Nyampala Safaris or Baobab Safaris or one of several other shell safari outfits that operate in the Luangwa River area? A guy that cannot travel to the US to attend hunt shows because he is a crook and on the no fly list? You mean like Rasheed the Weasel who is lying only when his lips are moving? Or do mean like Rasheed the Snake who has his hand on the minister who makes the final call on the bids for the prime areas?

I agree, let the free market dictate who gets which areas. Let the process be transparent. If an outfit gets shut out and has to live off sublet areas or quota - say so. Be transparent so the customer gets no surprise.

I know that is asking a lot but it is possible and would be good the country and the wildlife.

Agreed, Transparent is the word we all want to see. A fair ' what you see is what you get' deal for the client. No one wants to find out a year down the road when he cant get his trofees shipped that he was hunting in a banned outfits area. Lets hope the change in Gov. in Zambia gets a few bad eggs out of favour.